Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-27-2020
Publication Title
Journal of Experimental Criminology
Volume
118
First Page
247
Last Page
272
Abstract
Objectives
Evaluate the impact of body-worn cameras (BWCs) on officer-initiated activity, arrests, use of force, and complaints.
Methods
We use instrumental variable analysis to examine the impact of BWC assignment and BWC activation on the outcomes of individual incidents through a randomized controlled trial of 436 officers in the Phoenix Police Department.
Results
Incidents involving BWC activations were associated with a lower likelihood of officer-initiated contacts and complaints, but a greater likelihood of arrests and use of force. BWC assignment alone was unrelated to arrests or complaints; however, incidents involving officers who were assigned and activated their BWC were significantly more likely to result in an arrest and less likely to result in a complaint.
Conclusions
Future researchers should account for BWC activation to better estimate the effects of BWCs on officer behavior. To maximize the effects of BWCs, police agencies should ensure that officers are complying with activation policies.
Recommended Citation
Huff, J., Katz, C.M., & Hedberg, E.C. (2020, October 27). A randomized controlled trial of the impact of body-worn camera activation on the outcomes of individual incidents. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 18, 247-272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-020-09448-5
Comments
This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-020-09448-5
(supplemental code doi: 10.1007/s11292-021-09482-x)
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